FAYETTEVILLE  A former Elkins High School teacher has been convicted of having sex with an 18-year-old student and was sentenced to 30 years in prison.

The Northwest Arkansas Times reports that a Washington County Circuit Court jury found 37-year-old David Paschal guilty on Tuesday of second-degree sexual assault and of bribing a witness.

Authorities say the relationship was consensual — but violates state law that prohibits sex between a teacher and a student younger than 21. Authorities say the girl reported the relationship after learning that Paschal had expressed interest in another girl.

On the bribery charge — Paschal was convicted of telling a student he would give the 18-year-old girl several thousand dollars if she dropped the charges.

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"Authorities say the relationship was consensual — but violates state law that prohibits sex between a teacher and a student younger than 21. "

What?

I'd appeal that faster than I can blink. It can be a condition of employment. But criminal? I don't think so. 30 years for consensual sex between 2 adults? Do I have that right?

Ridiculous.

And on the bribery charge, I don't see much difference between this and prosecutors dropping a charge for testimony. Besides, the guy was up for serious jail time for a bogus law. I'd do my best to weasel out of it too.

At first, I thought the sentence was too harsh, but then I read the other related articles containing information about the teacher being at parties with the minors, having a reputation touching young girls, and apparently there was some jealously between a couple of them. A teacher should not be partying with young students, and this girl was also his babysitter at one time, before he was divorced?? There is a lot going on surrounding this story.

(a) All persons of the age of eighteen (18) years shall be considered to have reached the age of majority and be of full age for all purposes. Until the age of eighteen (18) years is attained, they shall be considered minors.

(b) Any law of the State of Arkansas that presently requires a person to be of a minimum age of twenty-one (21) years to enjoy any privilege or right or to do any act or to participate in any event, election, or other activity shall be deemed to require that person to be of a minimum age of eighteen (18) years. However, this section shall not repeal, amend, or otherwise affect any existing laws concerning or in any way relating to beer, wines, spirituous, vinous, malt liquors, or other alcoholic beverages, and the sale thereof to persons under twenty-one (21) years of age.

Geez, people. It doesn't matter if he's the sleaziest of sleazes - and it sounds like he might be. He was charged with a specific offense. And that offense is essentially that he had consensual sex with a legal adult. If you don't understand the ridiculousness, then I'm just befuddled.

I'm all for him losing his job - his offense can certainly be a condition of employment. But to be charged criminally? That's flat out wrong. And the sentence is a complete joke. 30 years? For sex with a consenting adult? Get real. I hope he appeals all the way up.

So a college teacher can get 30 years too? Most college students don't turn 21 until they are almost a junior in college. However, Playboy and Girls Gone Wild can make millions of dollars selling their products that feature "Barely Legal" girls. Fired and banned from teaching is one thing, but to lock a person up 30 years??? That same girl can, and will have relations with any other man 18-100 years of age without the man being punished by law.

5-14-125. Sexual assault in the second degree.(a) A person commits sexual assault in the second degree if the person: (6) Is a teacher in a public school in a grade kindergarten through twelve (K-12) and engages in sexual contact with another person who is: (A) A student enrolled in the public school; and (B) Less than twenty-one (21) years of age.

(b) (1) Sexual assault in the second degree is a Class B felony.

5-4-401. Sentence. (3) For a Class B felony, the sentence shall be not less than five (5) years nor more than twenty (20) years